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Game 67, Astros at Mariners

I suppose we should be thankful. The M’s have become an *interesting* team to follow, not because of anything on the field (I’ll refer you to the pitching probables again), but because they’re sick of being bad and injured and boring, so they’re trying essentially everything they can to climb out of this hole. Their college CF-turned-2B is going to play LF tonight. Franklin Gutierrez is going to DH for Tacoma tonight, as his second rehab stint begins. Justin Smoak’s going to play tomorrow in the minors. The M’s are shuffling their 40-man almost daily, and they’re going to have to do more of it in the coming weeks. Their injured players are a bit less injured, and people are playing out of position. Jeremy Bonderman is pitching to Mike Zunino in Seattle, and Dustin Ackley is playing LF in Tacoma. Try to think of what you’d have said if you heard that sentence a year ago. Or a month ago.

The M’s appear to have signed several of their draft picks, and 1st rounder DJ Peterson’s in Seattle tonight taking BP. I’m sure we’ll hear from him on the broadcast.

msfanmike — if you’re still here — you do know that many, many prospects play shortstop at levels earlier than the majors? That part of the minors is shaking out prospects and figuring out where they can play in the much, much more demanding major leagues? That’s why it’s rare to do so in the majors. It’s not that the Mariners have no idea. They would like to have Franklin at short as much as you evidently do. If they don’t move Franklin to short, they probably know more than you do, and are not being stubborn with no reason.

WestyHerr on
June 12th, 2013 11:12 pm

We’re gonna get destroyed in Oakland. But Happy whatever day!!!!!

JE on
June 12th, 2013 11:24 pm

I didn’t see the middle of the game but my feeling is that Wedge is 25 – 35% responsible for the loss by pulling Bonderman, the rest was up to The Bartender. Of course unless you expect the rest of the team to contribute for the previous eight innings, or the outfield to make a catch in the ninth. It could be worse but this is bad enough.

Ralph_Malph on
June 13th, 2013 12:02 am

Scraps asked about guys who switched to SS in the majors…Willie Bloomquist, of course!

But if you only score one run, you can’t expect to win many games. Even against a AAA team.

Westside guy on
June 13th, 2013 7:37 am

I don’t know about that, Paul – a number of teams have faced the Mariners and won 1-0.

drlo on
June 13th, 2013 8:31 am

Whatever the thinking behind putting Ackley in left field, at that position the bar has been raised for his hitting. Acceptable at second is not the same as acceptable in left. Well, for most teams, at least.

nwade on
June 13th, 2013 8:42 am

Boy I’m sure glad we had Zunino up with the big-league club. He sure helped us win!

(On a serious note I’m totally happy for him to get his first major-league hit; but his successes do not excuse the poor decision-making!)

sawsatch on
June 13th, 2013 8:52 am

The Mariners will have to play .560 ball for the rest of the season just to get to 81 wins.
Like I said, it takes a certain talent to lose this much with Felix and Kuma as 1,2 plus now other solid pitching performances as well.